What do you think?
Rate this book
Captain Britain and MI13 (Collected Editions) #1
Captain Britain and MI: 13 Vol. 1: Secret Invasion
Collects Captain Britain and the MI13 #1-4. The Skrull Invasion isn't restricted to the US. When the Skrull Invasion hits England, only Captain Britain and MI13 stand in their way. Can they find out what the Skrulls are after before it's too late?
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2008
11 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Paul Cornell
616 books1,501 followersPaul Cornell is a British writer of science fiction and fantasy prose, comics and television. He's been Hugo Award-nominated for all three media, and has won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, and the Eagle Award for his comics. He's the writer of Saucer Country for Vertigo, Demon Knights for DC, and has written for the Doctor Who TV series. His new urban fantasy novel is London Falling, out from Tor on December 6th.
via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...
via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 14, 2018
Not read much of Captain Britain over the years, but I enjoyed this one.
June 24, 2010
Am I in danger of over hyping if I say that Captain Britain and MI13 is exactly what I've always wanted a super hero comic to be? It isn't perfect, things feel a little rushed sometimes and I'm sure there are other little problems, and it may prove a bit difficult for people who didn't grow up reading Marvel comics to get into (though I think the continuity, while thick, feels pretty innocuous). Still and all, this is almost exactly what I'd write if I were given leave to write a superhero comic using a bunch of B- and C-list heroes from the Marvel universe (only more British).
I previously read the second volume, and pretty much everything I had to say about it still holds here. And I can definitely say that I'll be back for a third helping when the opportunity arises.
I previously read the second volume, and pretty much everything I had to say about it still holds here. And I can definitely say that I'll be back for a third helping when the opportunity arises.
October 9, 2015
Se volete leggere la mia recensione, cliccate qui!:
http://ascwblog.blogspot.it/2015/10/c...
http://ascwblog.blogspot.it/2015/10/c...
September 26, 2022
Puntaje: 2.8 Estrellas.
Mi gran problema con los grandes eventos en los cómics es que tienen muchos Tie-Ins innecesarios. Captain Britain y el M13 es, lastimosamente, uno de ellos.
No voy a decir que la historia es terrible, pues simplemente es conocer cómo la Secret Invasion afectó a los héroes en el Reino Unido.
A mi personalmente nunca me ha llamado la atención la rama europea de Marvel así que no me interesaba mucho conocer que sucedía con estos personajes. Tampoco considero que la lectura de este volúmen sea importante para la Secret Invasion. Recomiendo su lectura a los fans del Capitán Bretaña y sus aliados ingleses, si estos personajes no les llama la atención pueden saltarselo sin problemas.
Mi gran problema con los grandes eventos en los cómics es que tienen muchos Tie-Ins innecesarios. Captain Britain y el M13 es, lastimosamente, uno de ellos.
No voy a decir que la historia es terrible, pues simplemente es conocer cómo la Secret Invasion afectó a los héroes en el Reino Unido.
A mi personalmente nunca me ha llamado la atención la rama europea de Marvel así que no me interesaba mucho conocer que sucedía con estos personajes. Tampoco considero que la lectura de este volúmen sea importante para la Secret Invasion. Recomiendo su lectura a los fans del Capitán Bretaña y sus aliados ingleses, si estos personajes no les llama la atención pueden saltarselo sin problemas.
November 24, 2016
Now this is more like it. It fits within the Secret Invasion storyline but also works as a stand-alone story.
I can’t say I am overly familiar with Captain Britain, which you would think is odd as I am British but it never really made it back home. It may have something to do with the dialogue which comes across as bad as the phony British accents in American movies and TV shows. The writer has just thrown ‘mate’ in wherever to make is sound British, but they tend to appear in the wrong place in the sentence.
I enjoyed the artwork, the peculiar British superheroes and the magical realm that exists on another plane. Obviously, there are lots of links to the most famous of British mythology, King Arthur, and Merlin.
This was definitely more fun to read than the two previous books that really didn’t focus on a story. They were more like a collection of first scenes or trailers, whereas this is an actual story.
Much more like what I was expecting from a big series arc.
I can’t say I am overly familiar with Captain Britain, which you would think is odd as I am British but it never really made it back home. It may have something to do with the dialogue which comes across as bad as the phony British accents in American movies and TV shows. The writer has just thrown ‘mate’ in wherever to make is sound British, but they tend to appear in the wrong place in the sentence.
I enjoyed the artwork, the peculiar British superheroes and the magical realm that exists on another plane. Obviously, there are lots of links to the most famous of British mythology, King Arthur, and Merlin.
This was definitely more fun to read than the two previous books that really didn’t focus on a story. They were more like a collection of first scenes or trailers, whereas this is an actual story.
Much more like what I was expecting from a big series arc.
December 30, 2018
Not a bad read, but I may have suffered as a reader given my inexperience with any of the characters. While I don't ordinarily object to a good writer skipping the exposition and driving forward with the story, I felt somewhat confused throughout.
Characters backstories were all assumed to be known. Powersets and abilities weren't really explained until after the action had already begun. And while the dialogue was smart and breezy, I was somewhat at a disadvantage because of how little exposure I had to the characters.
Now, despite all of these complaints, I still enjoyed, especially since the story was daring and raised the stakes. Cornell doesn't tiptoe around the seriousness of the invasion storyline and addresses how far the Skrulls are willing to go.
It was enjoyable throughout, and a title I'd be interested in reading more of in the future.
Characters backstories were all assumed to be known. Powersets and abilities weren't really explained until after the action had already begun. And while the dialogue was smart and breezy, I was somewhat at a disadvantage because of how little exposure I had to the characters.
Now, despite all of these complaints, I still enjoyed, especially since the story was daring and raised the stakes. Cornell doesn't tiptoe around the seriousness of the invasion storyline and addresses how far the Skrulls are willing to go.
It was enjoyable throughout, and a title I'd be interested in reading more of in the future.
February 21, 2014
Enjoyed this, but wanted to like it more. Loved the very British style to it, and the nod to Captain Britain's myths. Not so keen on then wiping away most of that mythos, and ditching the costume I love( the new one's ok). Nice to see a large role for the Black Knight, Spitfire seemed fun, and I did think Cornell was a little heavy handed and obvious with his 'let's add a non- white character' to the team. Faiza seems decent enough, but as a character she felt like she was trying too hard...
The Secret Invasion/ Skrull storyline was ok, but it was mostly backdrop. This collection shows me potential, but not quite top quality...yet.
The Secret Invasion/ Skrull storyline was ok, but it was mostly backdrop. This collection shows me potential, but not quite top quality...yet.
August 9, 2009
I would have liked this better if it hadn't felt like I was dumped right in the middle of things. Of course not being a heavy Marvel reader had a lot to do with that. Secret Invasion is only something I've touched on in my few Marvel trades.
I do like Captain Britain, however, and enjoyed the very British feel of the story.
I do like Captain Britain, however, and enjoyed the very British feel of the story.
December 8, 2022
Fun premise and cast, sorry it had to be set in the middle of a line-wide event.
September 5, 2022
I'm giving this three stars and a shrug. I just don't care about the Magic British corner of the Marvel Universe. All it takes is the word "Avalon", and I'm immediately imagining a more interesting comic that I'd rather be reading. Poorly constructed toaster manuals are more interesting to me than Captain Britain and Excalibur.
This book promotes Captain Britain with the same unrealistic nationalistic fervor that the worst Captain America writers (I'm looking at you early 2000s Mark Millar) attribute to that character. I realize that it appeals to mouth breathing barely literate bigots who don't like things like plots or nuance to get in the way of their unearned patriotism.
Hmmm, that was harsher than this book deserved. But there's a scene where a character who just died, like one or two issues previously, is reborn when a bunch of fucken flags furl together into the shape of his body. Patriotism is stupid. Why are people so proud of where they fell out of a vagina? Did they land on their heads?
Apart from that moment, this book was fine. I didn't care about any of the characters, but that's not Cornell's fault at all. I'm never going to care about Captain Britain, Pete Wisdom, reluctant vampire, guy with a sword that isn't Excalibur so he isn't Captain Britain but kind of is, or whoever the other magic woman was. I did like the medic who got powers, and I enjoyed Skrull John Lennon.
The existence of Skrull John Lennon makes the whole "Only Good Skrull" from the Avengers Initiative Secret Invasion book kind of obsolete. Also, we know that Hulkling is mostly Skrull, and there's a Young Avengers Secret Invasion book on my list, so there's at least three Skrull heroes. There should probably be more.
If you like Excalibur and/or Captain Britain, you'll probably like this book. Cornell is a very good writer. i just hope you'll roll your eyes at the flag scene. It's really stupid. If you're not already a fan of the British sector of the Marvel Universe, I don't think this is the book that's going to win you over, so you can skip this one.
This book promotes Captain Britain with the same unrealistic nationalistic fervor that the worst Captain America writers (I'm looking at you early 2000s Mark Millar) attribute to that character. I realize that it appeals to mouth breathing barely literate bigots who don't like things like plots or nuance to get in the way of their unearned patriotism.
Hmmm, that was harsher than this book deserved. But there's a scene where a character who just died, like one or two issues previously, is reborn when a bunch of fucken flags furl together into the shape of his body. Patriotism is stupid. Why are people so proud of where they fell out of a vagina? Did they land on their heads?
Apart from that moment, this book was fine. I didn't care about any of the characters, but that's not Cornell's fault at all. I'm never going to care about Captain Britain, Pete Wisdom, reluctant vampire, guy with a sword that isn't Excalibur so he isn't Captain Britain but kind of is, or whoever the other magic woman was. I did like the medic who got powers, and I enjoyed Skrull John Lennon.
The existence of Skrull John Lennon makes the whole "Only Good Skrull" from the Avengers Initiative Secret Invasion book kind of obsolete. Also, we know that Hulkling is mostly Skrull, and there's a Young Avengers Secret Invasion book on my list, so there's at least three Skrull heroes. There should probably be more.
If you like Excalibur and/or Captain Britain, you'll probably like this book. Cornell is a very good writer. i just hope you'll roll your eyes at the flag scene. It's really stupid. If you're not already a fan of the British sector of the Marvel Universe, I don't think this is the book that's going to win you over, so you can skip this one.
October 26, 2025
This is my first time reading a Captain Britain issue. Written by Paul Cornell, drawn by Leonard Kirk and Jesse Delperdang and Scott Hanna, colors by Brian Reber, and letters by VC's Joe Caramagna. Incredible covers by Brian Hitch and Morry Hollowell. This was set in the middle of Secret Invasion event.
This properly set the tone and scope of the Skrull invasion and destruction across the country although I would have wanted a bit more setting of the scenes. At some points it felt rushed and I wanted some more quips and scenes. It's right smack in the action and on every turn the heroes, super and not, justifiably had too much on their plate and all that there was to them was hope. Soon it would arrive with a trimuphant return for the titular superhero which I would have wanted a bit more perspective from other characters and how glorious that comeback was. The full-page art of Captain Britain with Excalibur is glorious nonetheless.
This also introduced a new superhero, Faiza Hussain. She's a hero even without the the powers but she's probably very powerful with what seemingly her powers were. This is also my first introduction to the secret agent Pete Wisdom, who I felt would be my newest favorite Marvel character. I'd like to read that Kitty Pryde tandem series as well as the Wisdom series in Max. Rounding out the team were The Black Knight, Spitfire, and John the Skrull.
This also includes the Marvel Team-Up issues #65 and #66 with Peter Parker and Brian Braddock. It was a neat and action-filled storyline involving a fight between the two and a team-up to escape the Murderworld of the villain Arcade; under it was a subplot of a hit job against Brian. This also introduced a short backstory for Brian's Captain Britain origin. It is fun reading an old-timey art and words from Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Dave Hunt, and Bruce Patterson.
This properly set the tone and scope of the Skrull invasion and destruction across the country although I would have wanted a bit more setting of the scenes. At some points it felt rushed and I wanted some more quips and scenes. It's right smack in the action and on every turn the heroes, super and not, justifiably had too much on their plate and all that there was to them was hope. Soon it would arrive with a trimuphant return for the titular superhero which I would have wanted a bit more perspective from other characters and how glorious that comeback was. The full-page art of Captain Britain with Excalibur is glorious nonetheless.
This also introduced a new superhero, Faiza Hussain. She's a hero even without the the powers but she's probably very powerful with what seemingly her powers were. This is also my first introduction to the secret agent Pete Wisdom, who I felt would be my newest favorite Marvel character. I'd like to read that Kitty Pryde tandem series as well as the Wisdom series in Max. Rounding out the team were The Black Knight, Spitfire, and John the Skrull.
This also includes the Marvel Team-Up issues #65 and #66 with Peter Parker and Brian Braddock. It was a neat and action-filled storyline involving a fight between the two and a team-up to escape the Murderworld of the villain Arcade; under it was a subplot of a hit job against Brian. This also introduced a short backstory for Brian's Captain Britain origin. It is fun reading an old-timey art and words from Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Dave Hunt, and Bruce Patterson.
December 8, 2023
I was reading New Avengers for some reason and got up to the Secret Invasion storyline and said, “Hey, I have the Mavel Unlimited app, why don’t I just read the entire Secret Invasion storyline? I’d be really interested because I know that the MCU is going to come out with a movie pretty soon.” Great idea, right?
Ugh, that thing is 99 issues long and just starts to d r a g in the middle as Marvel tried to cash in by incorporating as many titles as possible. But I was committed, and I read every single issue. Was it worth it? Absolutely not. Am I glad I read it? I’m not sad, but I wish that Marvel had done a better job writing with concise storytelling. Or that I had not made the decision to read the whole blamed thing.
But, you know, in for a penny, and for a pound. And it’s red and I will never have to read it again and I can enjoy the movie when it comes out. So I’m just going to copy and paste this review in every single trade paperback that contains the secret invasion, storyline and call it a day.
if anyone reads this review, I recommend you just read the essential story itself without all of the side issues.
Ugh, that thing is 99 issues long and just starts to d r a g in the middle as Marvel tried to cash in by incorporating as many titles as possible. But I was committed, and I read every single issue. Was it worth it? Absolutely not. Am I glad I read it? I’m not sad, but I wish that Marvel had done a better job writing with concise storytelling. Or that I had not made the decision to read the whole blamed thing.
But, you know, in for a penny, and for a pound. And it’s red and I will never have to read it again and I can enjoy the movie when it comes out. So I’m just going to copy and paste this review in every single trade paperback that contains the secret invasion, storyline and call it a day.
if anyone reads this review, I recommend you just read the essential story itself without all of the side issues.
December 31, 2022
I've been working my way through the entire Secret Invasion event from 2008 (thanks, Marvel Unlimited for around 100 issues of it) and the four issue story arc here, with the Skrulls trying to take over Britain and harness all the magical power of Avalon (and assorted other Marvelisations of British folklore) is a big, action-filled story highlighted by Captain Britain punching a Skrull's head clean off his shoulders and the introduction of a new British superhero in suddenly-powered NHS nurse Faiza Hussain. It's one of the more fun, and despite all the magical shenanigans, one of the more tightly focused, rewarding and digestible Secret Invasion tie-ins and was more than good enough to get me interested in more from MI13.
The two late-1970s Marvel Team-Up issues that round out this volume were less impressive. Captain Britain's US debut sees him team up with Spider-Man and explain his origin story before the two of them end up trapped in a preposterous assassin's 'Murderworld.' The first part is fun but the second descends into far too much silliness.
The two late-1970s Marvel Team-Up issues that round out this volume were less impressive. Captain Britain's US debut sees him team up with Spider-Man and explain his origin story before the two of them end up trapped in a preposterous assassin's 'Murderworld.' The first part is fun but the second descends into far too much silliness.
August 25, 2019
I really wanted to like this more, but it was hard with how much it didn't make sense. There's not a lot of explanation and this is a really rough one for readers to dive into. I haven't read any Captain Britain books before this, so I understand that that's part of it, but the collection doesn't even have a character section or something similar in the beginning to get readers up to speed. I liked the magic elements, though I was only really able to follow this because of my background in folklore and the King Arthur mythos. Awkward, though unique in comparison to the other Secret Invasion titles so far.
For: fans of superheroes/comics; readers wanting a focus on the happenings outside of the USA.
Possible red flags: manipulation; characters in peril; violence; blood; death; language; conspiracies; distrust and paranoia; invasion/colonialism; gore/dismemberment/dissection; references to sex/sexual situations.
For: fans of superheroes/comics; readers wanting a focus on the happenings outside of the USA.
Possible red flags: manipulation; characters in peril; violence; blood; death; language; conspiracies; distrust and paranoia; invasion/colonialism; gore/dismemberment/dissection; references to sex/sexual situations.
January 27, 2023
"Captain Britain and MI13: Secret Invasion" is a fast paced. action oriented book set in the middle of Marvel's "Secret Invasion" crossover event. As such, the reader may want to read some of the other books for this event first even though this book is the first volume for its own series.
Generally, this book is well written and illustrated. It is definitely a must read for Marvel fans interested in British superheroes. However, the book pretty much starts in the middle of everything and never really explains who the various characters are so it is not a good book to start with. This is not to say that the book is without merit though. The characters are fun and well thought out,- even if the reader has to guess at their back stories. Additionally, the book ends with a great twist and the promise of more adventures to come.
As a final note, readers looking for a more accessible introduction to British superheroes should check out the more recent "Captain Carter: Woman Out of Time".
Generally, this book is well written and illustrated. It is definitely a must read for Marvel fans interested in British superheroes. However, the book pretty much starts in the middle of everything and never really explains who the various characters are so it is not a good book to start with. This is not to say that the book is without merit though. The characters are fun and well thought out,- even if the reader has to guess at their back stories. Additionally, the book ends with a great twist and the promise of more adventures to come.
As a final note, readers looking for a more accessible introduction to British superheroes should check out the more recent "Captain Carter: Woman Out of Time".
February 15, 2022
This book is way better than an event tie-in co-starring D-list superheroes has any right to be. There's a functional plot that leaves the door open for the next arc, there's the introduction of a new heroine with a little bit of mystery, there's some deep cuts to Captain Britain lore, and the art generally tracks pretty well. My only complaint is that Captain Britain himself is rather off model: young, slender, enthusiastic, and basically just stepped out of 1980. This is ostensibly his series, but he's not the main character or even close. Really, it's a Pete Wisdom series, but that guy couldn't carry his own book for 12 issues if it came with dollar bills inside. Still, I liked it.
January 11, 2019
"The Skrull Invasion isn’t restricted to the US. When the Skrull Invasion hits England, only Captain Britain and MI: 13 stand in their way. Can they find out what the Skrulls are after before it’s too late?"
The art reminded me of Hell Boy, I dont know why, I think it was more of the fell, the pixies and mythical beings, it was good 3 🌟
I liked this, Skrulls going after the magic in the planet, nice one. Also, has anyone noticed the Skrulls wardrobe, they seem to have an outfit to fit any genre...2 1/2 🌟
Relevance to SI, 2 🌟 So overall for this TPB 3🌟
The art reminded me of Hell Boy, I dont know why, I think it was more of the fell, the pixies and mythical beings, it was good 3 🌟
I liked this, Skrulls going after the magic in the planet, nice one. Also, has anyone noticed the Skrulls wardrobe, they seem to have an outfit to fit any genre...2 1/2 🌟
Relevance to SI, 2 🌟 So overall for this TPB 3🌟
March 5, 2018
continuing the great x-read of 2017/18...
Another volume tied into the seemingly awful (could be amazing considering I haven't read any of the main books...) Secret Invasion storyline.
As part of X-continuity, this one is... odd. Pete Wisdom acts quite out of character and Cptn Britain seems really different as well.
The story itself is pretty forgettable. Fairly boring start to the series so far.
Another volume tied into the seemingly awful (could be amazing considering I haven't read any of the main books...) Secret Invasion storyline.
As part of X-continuity, this one is... odd. Pete Wisdom acts quite out of character and Cptn Britain seems really different as well.
The story itself is pretty forgettable. Fairly boring start to the series so far.
April 13, 2023
It started off well, but the story felt rushed after the first issue. This can probably be attributed to the fact that it had to be wrapped up in 4 issues (the standard for an event tie in) and that’s not a lot of pages to work with. The reader learns very little about Captain Britain, or most characters for that matter. I might have enjoyed this more if I had a deeper knowledge of the UK superhero-sphere. Art was ok. John the Skrull was cool.
August 21, 2019
A very entertaining and well written series. It deals with skrulls, magic, mutants, and Otherworld. I think they are starting to use Avalon and Otherworld interchangeably. One thing I don’t get is why Albion was not here. He took the helm of Otherworld at Saturnyne’s request, but was nowhere to be found in the skrull takeover? Still, very interesting story.
August 22, 2017
Eh
It's hard to start a series in the middle of an event and this proved that. You have to be familiar with Secret Invasion to get the gist of it. It did not entice me to read anymore CB&M13. Love the Black Knight redesign, though.
It's hard to start a series in the middle of an event and this proved that. You have to be familiar with Secret Invasion to get the gist of it. It did not entice me to read anymore CB&M13. Love the Black Knight redesign, though.
March 26, 2018
I like these creators and I like this general idea, but I'm not as fond of these issues as I'd like to be. The pace is somewhat frenetic, and I don't feel like we get a chance to really know any of these characters.
July 26, 2017
Interesting read, blending superheroes with myths
January 26, 2018
Not amazing or anything, but much more enjoyable than expected, largely thanks to rookie of the year Faiza Hussain.
September 18, 2019
This and other Paul Cornell books reviewed here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com...
June 7, 2021
Enjoyed the story and artwork... Did find it slightly confusing in places, my fault for not reading any of the previous books, except the Alan Moore run which has great
April 3, 2022
Would've been nice to get some introductions and some backstory on the characters considering it starts with a "#1" issue.
April 25, 2022
Truly enjoyed reading a Captain Britain story and he and Peter Wisdom and the others fighting the Skrulls wanting to take over magic and Britain.
September 24, 2022
Sí, sí, muy buena la storyline del Capitán Britania, pero francamente querido Dane Witham, querido GALÁN
November 15, 2023
Mildly silly goofy at times, but surprisingly entertaining.
Came for secret invasion, stayed for John Lennon the Skrull.
Came for secret invasion, stayed for John Lennon the Skrull.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews